Why we need an Disabled Rights Act
We want an Aotearoa where everyone belongs –– at work, at school, in public spaces, and in community life. When barriers are removed, disabled people and their whānau can enjoy the same rights and opportunities to live, work, and participate with dignity.
Right now, too many everyday activities are out of reach: families miss out on outings, friends are left behind without captions or interpreters, and workers are excluded from jobs because offices and systems aren’t accessible. These barriers aren’t inevitable. They exist because decision-makers haven’t put enforceable standards in place.
A Disability Rights Act will remove everyday barriers, make accessibility the norm, and guarantee the right to participate fully in community life. Aotearoa has already promised to do this under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Now it’s time to make that promise real.